Winds, rain may hit Rogue Valley Saturday

Wet, windy weather is coming this weekend to the Rogue Valley, National Weather Service officials said in a special weather statement issued Thursday morning.

Wet, windy weather is coming this weekend to the Rogue Valley, National Weather Service officials said in a special weather statement issued Thursday morning.

Wind gusts east of the Cascades are expected to reach from 40 to 60 mph as a strong cold front pushes into the area Saturday. The front is expected to cover Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Klamath and Lake counties, along with the Southern Oregon Cascades. Inland winds are expected to be strongest during the day on Saturday.

Significant amounts of rain are expected. Some coastal areas could get 1 to 3 inches in just a six-hour period, the statement said. Up to a quarter of an inch of rain could fall Saturday in Jackson County, with a 60 percent chance of additional showers Sunday.

Snowfall of up to 8 inches is predicted for the Southern Oregon Cascades and Siskiyou Mountains at elevations of 5,500 feet and higher. Light snows are predicted for the Siskiyou Pass. Motorists are encouraged to visit www.tripcheck.com to see up-to-date road conditions and closures.

A stronger and wetter frontal system is expected to bring more wind, rain and mountain snow Sunday through Tuesday.